What Does A Jeweler Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Stan T.Career, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Jewelers

Jewelers fabricate and repair jewelry articles. Make models or molds to create jewelry items.

Salary
$48050
Becoming One
Medium
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth

Personality


What they do

Jewelers fabricate and repair jewelry articles. Make models or molds to create jewelry items.

  • Smooth soldered joints and rough spots, using hand files and emery paper, and polish smoothed areas with polishing wheels or buffing wire.
  • Position stones and metal pieces, and set, mount, and secure items in place, using setting and hand tools.
  • Create jewelry from materials such as gold, silver, platinum, and precious or semiprecious stones.
  • Make repairs, such as enlarging or reducing ring sizes, soldering pieces of jewelry together, and replacing broken clasps and mountings.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Jewelers smooth soldered joints and rough spots, using hand files and emery paper, and polish smoothed areas with polishing wheels or buffing wire. They make repairs, such as enlarging or reducing ring sizes, soldering pieces of jewelry together, and replacing broken clasps and mountings.

A typical day for a Jeweler will also include:

  • Compute costs of labor and materials in order to determine production costs of products and articles.
  • Mark and drill holes in jewelry mountings in order to center stones according to design specifications.
  • Examine gemstone surfaces and internal structures to evaluate genuineness, quality, and value, using polariscopes, refractometers, and other optical instruments.
  • Position stones and metal pieces, and set, mount, and secure items in place, using setting and hand tools.
  • Select and acquire metals and gems for designs.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Jewelers also rotate molds in order to distribute molten material and prevent the formation of air pockets. They may also assemble and secure mold sections used to cast metal articles and pieces.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Jewelers place metal samples in frames, pack raw rubber around samples, and clamp samples, frames, and rubber into vulcanizing machines. They might also fabricate, modify, or repair jigs, fixtures, and hand tools such as scrapers, cutters, gougers, and shapers.

In addition, they remove molds from cast articles, clean them, and apply shellac and powder to preserve them for reuse.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them weigh, mix, and melt metal alloys or materials needed for jewelry models.

To some Jewelers, it is also their responsibility to pour molten metal alloys or other materials into molds in order to cast models of jewelry.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Low

Is this job meaningful

Low

53% said they were satisfied with their job and 28% said they found their job meaningful.


Alloys by Arnold

My name is Elizabeth Arnold, and I am the owner of a small jewelry design and fabrication business Alloys by Arnold. I am a jeweler/goldsmith who after getting a four-year degree in art went back to school for a two year jewelry fabrication program, then worked in a busy mid-size jewelry making studio for three … Read More


Shetler Fine Jewelers

A typical day for me starts with arriving to our facilities and lining out jobs that are of importance by completion dates. I then sit down and focus on the job at hand. We have to diligently study the design as well as the stone(s) before setting, determine the best way to set, and make … Read More


Vivalatina Jewelry Brand

I am Nicolas Tranchant, the founder and manager of Vivalatina Jewelry Brand. I manage a team of 4 (including me). Being a Jeweler is nurturing one’s creativity and enjoying giving life to precious metals, that can be set with gemstones. A jeweler must be able to understand his customers’ needs and transpose them on paper … Read More


RRPJewellers, a jewelry manufacturing company based in Surat, India

Hitesh Patel is the founder of RRPJewellers, a jewelry manufacturing company based in Surat, India. What is it like being a jeweler? Becoming a jeweler is an amazing opportunity. You get to craft beautiful pieces of jewelry which once worn by a customer will light up their face and at that moment you will also … Read More


Pros

Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.

Suitable for people who wants job security and a good working condition.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

It is not too difficult to get into this career. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.

Salary is below average.

Demand for this career is declining.

How much do they make

Average salary

$48050 per year

Average hourly wage

$23 per hour

Entry-level Jewelers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $26,050 to $32,650 per year or $13 to $16 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $77,330 $37
Senior (Top 25%) $56,730 $27
Median $41,900 $20
Junior (Bottom 25%) $32,650 $16
No experience (Bottom 10%) $26,050 $13

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Jewelers based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Nondepository Credit Intermediation $64880 $31.19
Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods $58580 $28.16
Management of Companies and Enterprises $50280 $24.17
Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Stores $48520 $23.33
Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing $43260 $20.80
Employment Services $43210 $20.78
Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services $42740 $20.55
Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance $41710 $20.05
Nonferrous Metal Production and Processing $39310 $18.90
Electronic Shopping and Mail-Order Houses $37960 $18.25

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Jewelers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Jewelers including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Stores 7670 $48520 $23.33
Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing 5150 $43260 $20.80
Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods 2940 $58580 $28.16
Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance 750 $41710 $20.05
Specialized Design Services 450 $37720 $18.14
Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 240 $42740 $20.55
Nondepository Credit Intermediation 230 $64880 $31.19
Employment Services 100 $43210 $20.78
Management of Companies and Enterprises 70 $50280 $24.17
Nonferrous Metal Production and Processing $39310 $18.90

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
0%

40 hours
71%

More than 40 hours
29%

Working schedule

67%

29%

4%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
38%

Every day
25%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
33%

Every day
63%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
17%

Every day
75%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
63%

Once a year
29%

Once a month
0%

Once a week
8%

Every day
0%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
0%

Slightly competitive
17%

Moderately competitive
29%

Highly competitive
38%

Extremely competitive
17%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
4%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
4%

Every day
92%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
92%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
8%

Every day
0%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
92%

Once a year or more
8%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
92%

Once a year or more
8%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
0%

Every day
0%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Medium
You will need previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Most careers in this difficulty category require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an Associate’s degree, and one or two years of on-the-job training. Similar careers include Travel Agents, Agricultural Technicians, Court Reports, and Medical Assistants.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
17%

High School Diploma or equivalent
33%

Post-Secondary Certificate
33%

Some College Courses
8%

Associate’s Degree or similar
4%

Bachelor’s Degree
4%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Jewelry Arts

A program that prepares individuals creatively and technically to express emotions, ideas, or inner visions by fashioning jewelry from gems, other stones, and precious metals. Includes instruction in design concepts, electroforming, enameling, gemology, lapidary technique and art, metal and non-metal casting and molding, metal coloring, metalsmithing and finishing, personal style development, photo etching, and stone cutting and polishing.

Metal Arts

A program that focuses on the development of individual artistic expression and technical skills necessary for fabricating refined metal works. Includes instruction in aesthetics, anodizing, art history, casting, design, electroforming, enameling, metalsmithing, sculpture, two and three-dimensional design, wax carving, and welding.

Watchmaking and Jewelrymaking

A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to make repairs, and maintain timepieces, time-measuring devices, and jewelry items. Includes instruction in mechanical timekeeping systems, digital timekeeping systems, timesetting, casting, engraving, polishing, stonesetting, soldering, fine microscopic work, equipment and tool maintenance, redesign and restyling techniques, and customer relations.


Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
17%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
8%

6 months to 1 year
13%

1 to 2 years
29%

2 to 4 years
29%

4 to 6 years
4%

6 to 8 years
0%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
4%

1 month
21%

1 to 3 months
8%

3 to 6 months
21%

6 months to 1 year
17%

1 to 2 years
17%

2 to 4 years
8%

4 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
4%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Builder

People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

The Builder
95%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
38%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
90%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
14%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
52%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
38%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

They also like working with forms, designs, and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
57%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
60%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
48%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
48%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
48%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
38%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


Don’t know which career to pursue?

Take the career quiz to find careers that match your personality type.

Take The Career Quiz